G-Dragon
지드래곤 · 권지용 (Kwon Ji-yong)
Kwon Ji-yong
August 18, 1988 Korean 177 cm 58 kg Type A ENTP Leo
G-Dragon (BIGBANG), born Kwon Ji-yong on August 18, 1988, is the leader, main rapper, and chief songwriter of the legendary K-pop group BIGBANG, and one of the most influential solo artists in Korean music history. Trained at YG Entertainment from age twelve, he debuted with BIGBANG in 2006 before launching a record-breaking solo career with albums like Heartbreaker, One of a Kind, Coup d'Etat, Kwon Ji Yong, and Übermensch. Known as the "King of K-pop," G-Dragon has written or produced most of BIGBANG's biggest hits, including "Fantastic Baby," "Bang Bang Bang," and "Lies," while also building a major reputation as a global fashion icon through collaborations with Chanel and Nike and his own label, PEACEMINUSONE. This profile covers his biography, real name, birthday, height, MBTI, group history, complete solo and BIGBANG discography, timeline, awards, trivia, and official social media, giving fans a complete, up-to-date look at the artist behind two decades of K-pop's most defining moments.
Story
Biography
G-Dragon (BIGBANG) is widely hailed as the “King of K-pop,” the leader, main rapper, and creative force behind the legendary boy group BIGBANG. Born Kwon Ji-yong on August 18, 1988, in Seoul, South Korea, he has spent nearly two decades shaping the sound, style, and swagger of modern Korean pop music. If you want to understand how K-pop grew from a regional trend into a global movement, you really have to start with him.
G-Dragon’s story begins early. He joined the children’s group Little Roo’ra at age seven, trained briefly at SM Entertainment, and then moved to YG Entertainment at twelve, where he trained alongside future bandmate Taeyang for six years. That long apprenticeship paid off: when BIGBANG debuted on August 19, 2006, G-Dragon stepped in as leader, main songwriter, and the group’s most recognizable visual icon.
As a soloist, he’s just as dominant. His 2009 debut album Heartbreaker became the best-selling album by a Korean soloist at the time and won Album of the Year at the Mnet Asian Music Awards. He followed it with the genre-defining EP One of a Kind (2012), the ambitious Coup d’Etat (2013), the introspective Kwon Ji Yong (2017), and his 2025 comeback album Übermensch. Along the way, he’s written and produced the majority of BIGBANG’s biggest hits, including “Fantastic Baby,” “Bang Bang Bang,” and “Lies,” cementing his reputation as one of the most influential songwriter-producers in the industry.
Beyond music, G-Dragon is a genuine fashion authority. He’s collaborated with Nike, Chanel, and Ambush, and built his own streetwear label, PEACEMINUSONE. Fans and critics alike credit him with pushing K-pop’s visual identity into bolder, more experimental territory long before it became the norm.
Today, G-Dragon continues to lead BIGBANG as a three-member unit alongside Taeyang and Daesung, while running his own label, Galaxy Corporation. Whether you know him as GD, the King of K-pop, or simply the man behind some of the genre’s most iconic songs, his fingerprints are all over the last two decades of Korean music.
Profile
Basic Information
| Stage Name | G-Dragon |
| Full Birth Name | Kwon Ji-yong (권지용) |
| Date of Birth | August 18, 1988 |
| Birthplace | Seoul, South Korea |
| Hometown | Seoul, South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Height | 177 cm (5'10") |
| Weight | 58 kg (128 lbs) |
| Blood Type | A |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| MBTI | ENTP |
| Education | Sejong University (Postmodern Music) |
| Agency | Galaxy Corporation (formerly YG Entertainment) |
| Debut | August 19, 2006 (BIGBANG, "BIGBANG") |
| Languages | Korean, English (conversational) |
| Nicknames | GD, King of K-pop, Iguana Idol |
| Hobbies | Composing, producing, drawing, fashion design, collecting art |
| Favorite Color | Black and yellow |
| Ideal Type | Someone independent with a strong personal style who understands his artistic lifestyle |
Membership
Groups & Positions
BIGBANG
YG Entertainment
Leader Main Rapper Vocalist Face of the Group
August 2006 – Present
The Lineup
Group Members — BIGBANG
G-Dragon
Leader · Main Rapper · Vocalist · Face of the Group
This Idol
T.O.P
Lead Rapper · Vocalist · Visual (Former Member)
Taeyang
Main Vocalist · Main Dancer
Daesung
Lead Vocalist · Maknae
Seungri
Main Dancer · Lead Rapper · Vocalist (Former Member)
Journey
Career Timeline
1995
Became a trainee
Became a trainee at SM Entertainment at around age eight, following an earlier stint in the kids' group Little Roo'ra.
2000
Joined YG Entertainment
Left SM Entertainment and became a YG Entertainment trainee at age twelve, training for six years alongside future BIGBANG member Taeyang.
2006
Debuted with BIGBANG
Debuted as the leader and main rapper of BIGBANG on August 19, 2006, quickly becoming the group's primary songwriter.
2009
Released debut solo album Heartbreaker
Released his solo debut studio album "Heartbreaker," which sold over 200,000 copies and won Album of the Year at the Mnet Asian Music Awards.
2012
Released EP One of a Kind
Released his first solo EP, "One of a Kind," which topped the Billboard World Albums chart and launched his first solo world tour.
2013
Released album Coup d'Etat
Released his second studio album "Coup d'Etat," making him the first Korean act to score multiple entries on the Billboard 200.
2018
Began mandatory military service
Entered the 3rd Infantry Division for mandatory military service on February 27, 2018, and was discharged on October 26, 2019.
2025
Released comeback album Übermensch
Returned with his third studio album "Übermensch," continuing solo activities alongside BIGBANG group promotions.
Music
Discography
🎵
Heartbreaker
Studio Album
2009
🎵
One of a Kind
EP
2012
🎵
Coup d'Etat
Studio Album
2013
🎵
Kwon Ji Yong
EP
2017
🎵
Übermensch
Studio Album
2025
💜
BIGBANG Vol.1
Studio Album
2006
💜
Always
EP
2007
💜
Hot Issue
EP
2007
💜
Remember
Studio Album
2008
💜
Stand Up
EP
2008
💜
Tonight
EP
2011
💜
Alive
EP
2012
💜
MADE
Studio Album
2016
💜
Still Life
Single
2022
🎧
Heartbreaker (feat. Flo Rida)
Single
2009
🎧
That XX
Single
2012
🎧
Crooked
Single
2013
🎧
Untitled, 2014
Single
2017
🎧
Home Sweet Home (feat. Taeyang & Daesung)
Single
2024
Recognition
Awards & Achievements
Song of the Year – "Lies"
Mnet Km Music Festival
2007
Artist of the Year
Mnet Km Music Festival
2008
Grand Prize (Daesang)
Seoul Music Awards
2008
Artist of the Year
Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA)
2015
Song of the Year – "Bang Bang Bang"
Melon Music Awards
2015
Best Vocal Performance – Group ("Still Life")
Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA)
2022
Album of the Year – Heartbreaker
Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA)
2009
Artist of the Year (Solo)
Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA)
2013
Record of the Year – One of a Kind
Seoul Music Awards
2013
Daesang (Grand Prize)
Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA)
2025
Did You Know?
Trivia & Fun Facts ✨
★
Born Kwon Ji-yong in Seoul, South Korea, on August 18, 1988; his birth month, day, and year all contain the number 8, which he considers his lucky number.
★
Has a younger sister, Kwon Dami, who has occasionally appeared in his music videos and public projects.
★
Was a member of the children's group Little Roo'ra at around age seven before training at SM Entertainment and then YG Entertainment.
★
Trained at YG Entertainment for six years alongside Taeyang; the two originally prepared to debut as a hip-hop duo called GDYB.
★
Is a childhood friend of former BIGBANG member T.O.P and Super Junior's Kangin.
★
Known by the nickname "Iguana Idol" for frequently changing his hair color throughout his career.
★
Is widely regarded as the primary songwriter and producer behind most of BIGBANG's biggest hits.
★
Made his solo debut in 2009 with "Heartbreaker," which became the best-selling Korean solo album of its time.
★
Was the first Korean soloist to headline Japanese dome arenas, during his 2013 One of a Kind World Tour.
★
Founded the streetwear label PEACEMINUSONE, which has released collaborations with Nike and other global brands.
★
Has collaborated with major fashion houses including Chanel, for whom he served as a global brand ambassador.
★
Speaks conversational English in addition to his native Korean.
★
Completed his mandatory military service in the 3rd Infantry Division from February 2018 to October 2019.
★
Signed with his own agency, Galaxy Corporation, in 2023 after ending his contract with longtime label YG Entertainment.
★
Won a MAMA Daesang (Artist of the Year) for the third time in 2025, becoming one of the most awarded soloists in the ceremony's history.
★
Has several tattoos, including designs referencing music terms like "Moderato" and phrases about living life fully.
★
His favorite colors are reportedly black and yellow, and his favorite food is ganjang gejang (soy-marinated crab).
★
Is known among fans and colleagues for being notably shy and soft-spoken off stage, in contrast to his bold on-stage persona.
★
Studied Postmodern Music at Sejong University.
★
Has been credited by critics and peers as one of the key figures who helped popularize hip-hop influenced sounds within mainstream K-pop.
★
His 2013 track "Crooked" and 2012 hit "That XX" remain fan-favorite deep cuts in his solo catalog.
★
Regularly writes, composes, and art-directs his own releases, giving him unusually complete creative control for an idol.
★
Has performed collaborative tracks with international artists including Missy Elliott, Sky Ferreira, Diplo, and Baauer.
★
Is considered one of the most fashion-forward figures in global pop music, frequently appearing on international best-dressed lists.
★
Continues to promote as part of BIGBANG's current three-member lineup with Taeyang and Daesung.
The Fandom
Fan Club & Fan Name 💜
Official Fan Name
VIP
VIP, short for "Very Important People," is the official fandom name of BIGBANG. The name comes from the group's second single, "BIGBANG Is V.I.P," released in 2006, and reflects the group's motto: "BIGBANG made VIP, VIP made BIGBANG."
Official Fan Color
Crown Yellow
BIGBANG does not have a formally registered Pantone fan color, but VIPs are strongly associated with bright yellow, taken from the group's crown logo and their iconic yellow lightstick.
Official Light Stick
Bangbong (Crown Lightstick)
Designed by G-Dragon himself in 2007, the Bangbong is a crown-shaped lightstick in bright yellow, widely regarded as one of the first official K-pop fandom lightsticks and a template that later groups' merchandise would follow.
Fan Community Platform
YG Entertainment official channels
BIGBANG and its members communicate with VIPs through YG Entertainment's official social channels, member-run YouTube content, and individual social media accounts.
Stay Connected
Social Media
Photos
Gallery 📷
